Page 13 of Yule Be Mine

Chapter Six

Almost as soon as Penelope entered the ballroom, she was inundated with gentlemen asking her for dances. It was quite shocking to her, as of course she’d never had such attention bestowed on her before. She’d attended several parties back in Ireland last summer, but the young gentlemen there had been merely polite. She’d often not had a partner throughout the dances, so this flurry of gentlemen was quite invigorating for her self-esteem. Before she knew it, she’d agreed to at least seven dances, including an additional one with Lord Clavering who’d been dancing attendance on her ever since she entered the room. It had never occurred to her that parties could be so much fun.

Then she caught sight of Yule across the ballroom floor, laughing and talking animatedly with a statuesque lady with jet-black hair and a superior attitude. When she laughed along with Yule, Penelope couldn’t help scowling at the pair. She hadn’t waited all these years for Yule just to have someone else snatch him from her grasp.

“I hope you have saved at least one dance for me, Miss Penelope.”

Startled, Penelope whirled around at the low, lovely baritone voice of Mr. Thomas Weston, Yule’s cousin, to whom she’d been introduced last evening. Tall as Yule, with dark hair, vivid blue eyes, and a smile that would make a lady’s heart flutter, Mr. Weston was quite the most handsome gentleman here. “Of course, I have, Mr. Weston, if you are free for the first one, I hope.”

“Luckily, I am.” He flashed a smile, showing white, even teeth. “Is it a waltz, by chance?” His eyes darkened. “I love to waltz.”

Penelope’s face heated as her heartbeat suddenly quickened. “Ah, no, actually Mr. Kastner told me it’s to be a reel.”

“Then will you promise me the first waltz as well?” His voice lowered. “I would love to dance a waltz with you, Miss Penelope.”

“Well, but…” Penelope tried to gather her wits. “I have promised the first waltz to your cousin Yule.” She smiled tentatively. “It has to do with a wager, you see.”

“Oh, far be it from me to interfere with a wager.” Mr. Weston grinned. “However, if there is more than one waltz tonight, might you promise that to me as well?”

“Certainly.” She’d love to dance the intimate waltz with this handsome gentleman.

“Thank you, Miss Penelope.” He raised her gloved hand and kissed it.

Penelope blushed, the warmth of his lips sending shivers down her back. She glanced from Mr. Weston to the gathering of guests across the dance floor and caught an angry stare from Yule. Penelope caught her breath. Was he perhaps jealous of her talking with his cousin? She laughed harder, hoping the sound carried to Yule’s ears. “You are most welcome, Mr. Weston.”

His gaze followed hers, and his grin widened. “My cousin seems rather taken with you. After that kiss under the mistletoe this afternoon, I would have wagered a betrothal would be announced tonight.”

“Oh, no, Mr. Weston. There’s nothing between Yule and I.” Her smile faded. “He’s made that perfectly clear to me.”

“I wouldn’t be too certain about that, Miss Penelope. My cousin is, at this moment, staring at me as though he’d like to slit my throat.” Despite his words, Mr. Weston laughed. “I think he’s mad about you, but there’s only one thing to do to make him admit it.”

“What is that?” She held her breath.

“Make him jealous.” The gentleman offered her his arm. “And the best and easiest way to do that is to let him see you enjoying yourself with me and with others as well.” He sent her a mischievous glance. “We could wager on it, if you like.”

“That would depend on what we would be wagering, sir.” Penelope wasn’t so enthralled with Mr. Weston that she didn’t stop to consider what he might wish to wager for.

“How about this? If I can make Yule jealous, you’ll agree to meet me under one of the mistletoe balls sometime this evening.”

“That sounds awfully scandalous, Mr. Weston.” Kissing under the mistletoe was expected at Christmas, however Penelope wasn’t quite certain Mr. Weston’s kiss wouldn’t make the one with Yule this afternoon seem like a peck upon the cheek in comparison. “I would not wish to get myself compromised while merely fulfilling a wager.”

“I promise not to compromise you, Miss Penelope. In fact, your mother can be witness to the kiss if you wish.” The glee in Mr. Weston’s face gave her no confidence whatsoever.

“What would I win should you not be able to make Yule jealous?”

“You may name your price, in that case, Miss Penelope.” His blue eyes twinkled. “But I assure you, I will win the wager.”

“Why are you so certain?” Of course, Mr. Weston did know his cousin’s nature. But she knew how Yule felt about her.

“Because I can almost see steam rising from my cousin’s head at this very moment.” He nodded across the room and Penelope glanced at Yule. Sure enough, he was glaring at her and Mr. Weston with an intensity that gave her goosebumps.

“And how are you so sure you can make him jealous?” Delighted with this turn of events, Penelope could scarcely take her eyes off Yule and the young lady he was standing with. She’d give anything to know who she was.

“Because I know my cousin.” He laughed loudly and grasped her hand that lay on top of his arm. “And he knows me. Shall we?”

He led Penelope onto the dance floor. “If you wish to enrage him even more,” Mr. Weston said, his eyes sparkling with mischief, “call me Tom.”

They formed a ring of eight dancers: her and Tom along with Mr. Kastner and Lady Diana Bascombe, Miss Garvey and Mr. Winslow, and Yule and Lady Augusta. Yule’s eyes narrowed when he looked at her, and Penelope shivered with delight. A jealous man might easily turn into a devoted suitor. The orchestra struck up a lively Scottish reel and Penelope curtsied to her partner. Then the group of eight joined hands and moved spritely to the left, then to the right, then broke into couples for a left-hand star.